Mexico claims Bronze Medal at Men’s Pan American Cup

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2019.- Mexico claimed the Bronze Medal of the fourteenth Men’s Pan American Cup in front of home crowd defeating Chile 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 26-24) for third place at the Multifunctional Auditorium of Colima, Mexico.

This is Mexico’s first bronze medal and fourth overall in the history of the event, winning gold in 2007 and two silver medals (2006, 2013).

In the beginning Chile seamed without energy while the host had every opportunity to move forward with comfortable margins in sets one and two without difficulties, carried by Gonzalo Ruiz and Daniel Vargas.

Chile recovered in the third with line-up changes, scoring faster and more effectively keeping the score tied up to point 13 when Mexico carried a four point average at the second technical time-out (16-14). Chile missed the chance to extend the actions losing a set point on unforced blocking error. Mexico scored the final point after four consecutive triple blocks against Dusan Bonacic.

Mexico led in kills 43-33 and aces 6-2, but Chile was superior in blocks with huge 11-5 margin. Mexico committed 15 unforced errors while Chile finished with 22.

Gonzalo Ruiz and Daniel Vargas carried Mexico’s offense with 14 and 13 points apiece, while Vicente Parraguirre scored 16 points on the loss.

Comments:

Pedro Rangel, captain Mexico: “This is a great result for us, at a highly competitive event. The younger players improved and what’s most important is that they got to experience the level we face with the national team. We finished with good rhythm and a good preparation improving our performance for the Pan American Games of Lima”.

Jorge Azair, coach Mexico: “My guys did a great job the entire tournament; today we gave our best to keep the medal at home. Our physical attributes aren’t the best to compete internationally, but we are fighters. Our young players made a great contribution and the combination is good. We reached our goal of winning a medal”.

Daniel Nejamkin, coach Chile: “Mexico was superior, from the beginning their serves were powerful, keeping my guys under control. We couldn’t execute our game plan, without reception things were even harder and we had too much air with our middle players”.